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Staff members from Columbia College–Orlando created a holiday video gram for faculty member, Tim "T.J." Beary Sr., who is deployed in Afghanistan. They also extended their holiday greetings to all troops serving overseas. Click here to view the video.

Tim's e-mailed response to the video gram: I received the video gram that you all prepared for me. Wow! It truly left me speechless! I want to sincerely thank you all for the obvious love, care and thoughtfulness that went into that video! I am so flattered and thankful just to be remembered. When I checked my e-mail, we had just returned from an intense 24-hour mission, and I was completely drained, physically and emotionally. Then I opened your e-mail, and my mind, body and spirit were renewed! I forwarded the video to the other soldiers on my combat outpost so they could hear your thoughts and well wishes for them.

I also want to thank each of you for all you are doing to support the young men and women of our armed forces. There is a sad saying, "America's not at war. The U.S. military is at war. America's at the mall." You folks at Columbia College have demonstrated that this statement is false. A gesture such as this is much more important than I think you will ever realize and vital to maintaining the morale of the American fighting soldier!

In my prior 22 years in the Army, this is without question the best gift/letter that I have ever received. Thanks for taking the time to boost all of our spirits out here during the holiday season, and God bless you the entire Columbia College family!